Library construction



Aug. 2, 1938.

I A. s, MACDONALD LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR' Qf Mums Aug. 2, 1938. A. s. MACDONALD 2,125,302

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet? 9: I BY INl/{ENTOR ATTORN EY5 Aug. 2, 1938. A. s. MACDONALD r 2,125,302

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 l INVENTQR WWMW ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1938. I A; s. MACDONALD. 2,125,302

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 j INVENTOR WVM ATTORNEYS Au 2, 1938. A. s. MACDONALD 2,125,302

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Filed April 23, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 111x911 Q INVENTOR I BY: M WWM 2 ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1938; A. s. MACDONALD 2,125,302

LIBRARY couswnucuou Filed April 23, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 2 68 I V a 6 74 75 I 74 6,5 j] 3 A 69 ii 5 6 L,

11@ j (65 3E 65- /5 {i g; J 5; 5

:5 2M: 2M2? @E} m? a :p 7

j LIEYENTOR 27d vb g 4 5 b 7d 279 I ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED srgres LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION Angus S. Macdonald, Hadlyme, Conn, assignor to Snead & Company, Jersey City, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 23, 1935, Serial No. 17,777

28 Claims.

This invention relates to library construction.

I propose to provide avery simple inexpensive arrangement which does away with many of the partsheretofore employed, and which is easy to assemble and which, when assembled,

provides a strong, stiff construction.

I also propose to provide a floor construction which is-carried from or supported by the columns and in turn supports the columns, which ;floor construction is a self contained unit whereby it may be composed of prefabricated, uniform members which, when assembled, give fixed predetermined relationship between the various partsgandparticularly shelf supporting parts. More specifically stated I provide a library construction'in-which the floor is comprised of axpluralityof prefabricated floor members from which! the shelf supporting parts of the library are supported and positioned.

I further propose a library construction com posed: of columns-arranged on fixed centers and inrrows. extending at'right angles to one another; and a floor composed'of a plurality of floor members each of: which occupies the rectangular area-:cor-nered by four columns-and in which the shelf supporting' parts of the library are supported and positioned from these floor members.

Another object i'resides in the provision of-a structurei'of the character just above mentioned, in which various floor members'are so correlated withirespect to one another that'they provide openings for the'columns, which openings have at leastrsufficient'clearance to take care of the tolerances permitted with respect to the columns as=to size and of various other. irregularities'and variations normally incident to the columns, such,

for-:exampleyas the'slight warping or twist which is.-.-frequently encountered.

Ialso-raimitosupport floor structure of the ,-above-icharacter.from the'columns by a means which 'is variable to the clearance so that not only isthefloor structurefirmly supported from the-columns but such structure firmly, laterally bracesior supports the columns.

composed of-setsof sheet metal plate members, reinforced preferably largely by preforming them with reinforcing portions, so that the plate members-*rconstitutetheir ownframes and when as- 5gcsembledJconstitute a self=contained fioor. Ipropose: to=fsecure these strong accurately preformed plateamembers to the columns so as to square the: structure; making. it firm and rigid.

I=also propose-to enclose the columns with 55 *casing memberswhioh may be. used for conduits and which casing members also constitute a portion of the book supporting structure.

More specific and detailed objects and ad vantages are also contemplated by my invention and these will appear in the following portions of the specification.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or are incident to my invention, are realized is illustrated in preferred form inthe accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a library construction in accordance with one-form of my invention, the section being taken substantially on the lines l-I and la-la of Figure 2, with certain of the book supporting structure being omitted in portions of the view.

Figure 2 is a plan section taken substantially on the line Z2 of Figure 1, with a portion of the book supporting structure broken away inthe right-hand part of the view.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section, the lower portion of which is taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 4, and the upper portion of which is taken substantially on the line 3a3a of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan section taken substantially on the lines 44 and Arr-4a of Figure 3, the upper portion of the View being taken on the line 44 and the lower portion on the line la- M.

roken away in this figure in order to better show the construction of other parts.

Figure 5 is a framentary vertical-cross-section taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section taken substantially on the line 'l--'! of Figure 2, with a pair of book shelves shown in place and illustrated in cross-section.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan section taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 7. 0 -More:'specifically I propose a floor construction Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan View of a modification of my invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view of another modification of my invention.

Figure 11 is a cross section taken on the line lI- -ll of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating modified structure employed at the columns.

Figure 13 is a plan section taken on the line [3-13 of Figure 12.

Certain of the parts are shown 'tion.

Figure 14- is a fragmentary view illustrating a modification in the shelf supporting members.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan section illustrating another modification'of the invention.

My improved library construction comprises in general a plurality of columns 9 arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, as shown in Figures 1 and 2; a selfcontained floor structure it) comprised of a plurality of metal plates or floor members, a given number of which will occupy a predetermined area, preferably the floor area of the library building; and book supporting structure which is supported and positioned from the floor members.

In the form of my invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 the columns 9 are illustrated as being H- beams and the self-contained floor structure H) is comprised of a plurality of cooperating metail plates or floor members ll and The construction and correlation of these plates is such that a plurality of openings l3 are provided in surrounding relation to the columns and with clearance id therearound. Means I5 is provided for vertically positioning the floor structure with respect to the columns, the construction being such that the floor structure is supported from the columns and laterally braces or supports the columns.

Referring now to the sets of members which, when assembled, constitute the self-contained floor structure, the plates H of the one set are rectangular and of uniform size and each occupy the space between a set of four adjacent columns, and the plates ll of the other set are also rec tangular and of uniform size and each occupy the space between a pair of columns of a row and lie between adjacent pairs of the plates l l so as to fill the space at the ends of the plates 5!. As is best seen from inspection of Figure 2, the length or long dimension of the plates l l extends longitudinally of the book supporting structure and is of such dimension that the plates extend substantially from the broadside of a pair of columns to substantially the facing broadside of the next pair of columns in this longitudinal direction. ihe Width or narrow dimension of the plates H is such that they extend from the center line of a row of columns to the center line of the next adjacent row of columns crosswise of the installa- Thus the area of the plates is such that they are cornered, so to speak, by four adjacent columns.

The piates H are stiffened or reinforced along their longitudinal edges or sides by means of flanges l6 and are provided with centrally located, longitudinally extending, hollow reinforcing members ll, preferably of lJ-shape in cross-section and secured to the lower face of the plates as by means-of welding. The members ll may be used as a conduit for electric Wires and, in order to make this conduit continuous, I employ conduit members Ila in the plates 12 in line with the members ll. Apertures l'lb are provided-in the fiangesZll of the plates 12. A removable cover He may be provided for the member l'la (see Figures 1 and 2).

The plates l2 of the other set are of channel shape in cross-section, as clearly shown in the lower portion of Figure 5. Each of these plates comprises a main or body portion 18 and bifurcated end portions E9, the main portion 18 being of a width to fiH the space between the plates l l and of a length to define end edges of the apertures which surround the columns. These plates are constructed of sheet metal formed into the shape of a channel with the metal re-bent at the side flanges 20 of the channels and then bent laterally outwardly at the top of the flanges to provide longitudinally extending lateral flanges or ledges 2! for supporting the floor plates Il The web portion 22 of the plate is so located that the upper face thereof lies flush with the upper face of the plates ii, so as to provide a continuous flush floor surface. The flanges 2&3 extend longitudinally beyond the ends of the body portion is to provide the bifurcated end portions !9, it being noted that the ledges 2| extend for the full length of the flanges 29.

At the bifurcated end portions l9, I provide upstanding lips 23 and 24 (see Figures 3, 4 and 5), from which tabs 25 and 26 are outwardly struck for receiving casings 2?, in spaced surrounding relation to the columns.

The channel flanges 2% of the plate-like mem bers are spaced apart a predetermined distance somewhat greater than the maximum dimension of the plates l2 will straddle the H-beams with clearance even if applied at the point of maximum thickness. 7

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, I prefer to provide inwardly projecting bosses 28 on the inner faces of the flanges 20 adjacent the end portions of the bifurcated ends IS, the amount of projection of which is preferably such that the distance between the faces of the bosses is equal to the maximum dimension across the flanges of the H-beam, so that the bifurcated end portions will fit the H-beam at its maximum dimension. These bosses are provided with holes to receive the securing means 15 illustrated in the form of bolts which pass through the corresponding holesin the flanges of the l-l-beams. In order to take up the clearance which will exist wherever the H-beams are under maximum dimension, I provide take-up means in the form of washers 29,

as illustrated in Figure 6.

In constructing a library in accordance with this form of my invention, I first iocate the columns or H beams on selected fixed centers in rows extending at right angles to one another, and then secure the floor plates 12 in place between adjacent columns by means of the apertures and securing means 15, employing the take-up means wherever necessary. Inext lay the floor plates H on the laterally extending flanges or ledges 2| of the plate members I2 and secure them in place as by means of bolts 30 (see Figures 3 and 4) fitting accurately located holes 3| in the floor plates H and i2. These holes and bolts constitute a controlling factor in providing accuracy in position and relationship of the plates and casings, and serve to square up the entire floor structure. The plates ll may be secured together at the side flanges [6 by means of bolts I So. Since the plate members H and I2 are well reinforced to constitute their own frames, it will be seen that when they are secured together, a very firm and rigid selfcontained floor structure is provided, in which the openings l3 surrounding the H-beams are accurately located on predetermined centers corresponding to the :fixed centers of'the columns and as -has been pointed out above, the spacing of Ithelchannel flanges of the members 12 and the variable securing members !5 take care of the tolerance .incident .to the columns. The rigidityxof the floor structure :also will take care of straightening out other irregularities in the columns, such as slight warping or twist normally incident to the columns.

Additional support may be provided by Weldingthe bifurcated end portions of theplatemembers 12 to the columns 9, as indicated at 12a, and byuwelding the ends of the flanges iii of the platesill to the columns, as indicated at lfia.

Reverting now to the upstanding lips 23 at the bifurcated endsof the members it, these are so located with respect to the side flanges 20 that a desired vminimum amount of clearance will .be provided betweenithefaces of the flanges of the columns'andthe inside faces of the casings 21 where the columns are of maximum size, so that underallconditions the casings willifit the columns with clearance.

The casing 21 is made in two like halves, and is slipped laterally over the columns to be received-by the tabs 25 at the bottom and by tabs 32'at the top, the tabs 32 being struck in from thefianges 1200f the members l2. A mop strip 33 isinsertedtbetween the casing and thetabs 25 and 26 at'the floor'level. These mop strips rest on a covering 56a of any suitable material which ma'y 'be'employe'd to cover the floor. t should be note'd 'that the end Walls of the column casing 'ZI are provided with top and bottom notches '34 which slip over the 'end tabs 26 and 35 of the members 12 (see Figures 3 and 5). A top trim inember' fiifi is hooked in place over the tabs 35 just referred to. The mop strips 33 and the trim members 36 aid in holding the casings in position.

:The 'tWo parts of the casing 21 are provided with 'bent portions 31 along their upright free edges and when they are positioned on the floor plates 'and'around the columns, an upright cover member '38 is snapped in place through the mediumof the portions 3! to close and hide the joints and serve as a locking means for the casing. It will be noted that, since'the lips which position the casings at the top and bottom are located in predetermined spacing with respect to the columns, the-predetermined amount of clearance above referred to is provided between the faces ofthe columns and'the casing. In the other direction, the casings are very materially greater in size than the columns, and,'as indicated in the drawings, this dimension is made to be a'little greater than the depth of the book 'supporting'structure which is associated with the columns, and now tobe described. This relation isclearly shown in Figures '1 'an'dZ of the drawings. It is pointed out that these casings, therefore, are of ample size to act as air conduits, to receive electric wires, plumbing, and so forth, as may be desired.

The book supporting structure referred to is arranged in rows or ranges, as shown in Figure 2, with longitudinal aisles 3E therebetween. In the particular installation illustrated, the distance between adjacent columns is such that I preferto employ three equally spaced supporting members orplate-like castings Ali intermediate of the columns for supporting the book shelves Q! which are arranged in double rows, as shown, to' accommodate books from each aisle. These castings are supported and positioned from the floor structure in the following manner. Referring particularly toFigures 1, 2'and 7 it will be seen that I'haveprovided a hook portion 42 on each of thecastingsfor suspending the castings' from the floors or decks. The book portions 42 are located centrally of the top of the castings and engage holes or slots 43 in the ifian'ges I6 of the floor plates II and, inorder to properly align the castings, I employ'means at the upper corners thereof adapted to engage the floor plates. .In this instance, I have illustrated this means in the form of set screws 44 located in corner lugs 45' of thecastings and projecting upwardly therefromfor reception in counterboresor indents '46 in the lower face of the floor plates.

It will thus be seen that this means serves to position the-castings in parallel relation to the broadside faces of the column casings and may also be employed to plumb up the castings and lock them in their hooked relation. At the lower corners of the castings, I employ'angle irons 41 extending from column casing to column casing and secured thereto as by means of screws .48. These angles are secured to the lower corners of the castings 40 as by means of screws 49, as shown in Figure 1.

The shelves 4| may be adjustably positioned vertically of the castings by means of notches and teeth 50 provided at the upright edges of the castings and similarly spaced side lugs or projections 5| at the center portion of the side faces of thecastings. End pins 52 are provided in the shelves for supportingpurposes. The shelves 4| which-come adjacent to the column casings are supported directly from the casings by means of notchesand teeth 53 and projections or lugs 54 corresponding to the teeth 50 and lugs 5| respectively of the castings and preferably formed directly in the casing walls, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. As illustrated in Figure 15, the side walls of the casing 'Z'la may be vertically corrugated or ribbed to'provide stiifness and to receive shelf supporting strips 21b and 210 having notches 27d and projections 21c for the shelves. It will be seen from the foregoing that the book supporting structure is supported and positioned from the floor structure I!) because both the column casings 21 and the castings 40 which constitute part of the book supporting structure are positioned and supported'from the floor structure. It' is to be observed that, since the floor parts are so-constructed and arranged that they become accurately located withrespect to the columns and since the casings are accurately supported and positioned from the floor parts, any variations in the size of the columns incident to their manufacture will not be reflected in the spacing between column casings, and, therefore, the distance within which the book shelves are to be located isconstant and predetermined, thus enabling the use of shelves of fixed length without the necessity of fitting operations in the field.

, In the modification illustrated in Figure 9, cruciform columns 9a are employed with angle irons or stretcher members '55 extending from column to column of the rows in one direction. These members may be said to correspond to the members I2 of Figure 1 and are secured to the columns as by means of bolts 56 passing through holes 51 in the side flanges of the angle irons and through holes 58 in the columns.

In order to bring the center of the top flange of the angleirons on the center line of the columns and to otherwise properly locate the angle irons, I preferably employ washers '59 between the side flanges and the columns. Floor plates 60 having side flanges 6|, similar to the flanges I6 of the floor plates 10, extend from one angle member 55 to the next and .are secured thereto by bolts 62. These floor plates are of such dimensions as to occupy the rectangular area which is cornered by four adjacent columns. The ends and sides of adjacent floor plates abut so as to form a complete fioor surface.

If it is desired to employ column casings in this form of my invention, they may be supported and positioned from the floor plates in a manner similar to that above described and may constitute the end members of the book supporting structure. The side flanges Bl of the floor plates serve as a means from which castings similar to the castings 40 above described may be suspended.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, I employ floor plates 63 having side flanges 64 and end flanges 65. As before, these plates are of dimensions such that they occupy the rectangular area which is cornered by four adjacent columns. The plates are attached to the columns at the corners by means of bolts 66 and 61 passing through the flanges 64 and 65 and the columns. Filler members 68 .are employed between the sides and ends of adjacent floor plates to provide a continuous floor surface. Column casings and intermediate castings may be supported and positioned from this floor structure in a manner similar to that described above.

In some instances, I contemplate employing shelf supporting structure, such as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, at the columns which comprises a pair of castings 69 arranged on the center line of the column and connected by means of a pair of members 70 straddling the column. The castings are provided with notches H, and the members 10 with lugs 12 for the shelves. The assembled support is suspended from the floor plates at 13 and is positioned by set screws 14 much in the manner illustrated in Figure 7.

These assembled supports may be connected with intermediate castings, such as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, by angle irons 41 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

In Figure 14, I have shown a modification in the lower portion of the shelf supporting castings whereby the castings may be positioned and steadied at the bottom and comprising set screws 15 passing through lugs 16 in the castings and engaging holes or indents H in the floor plates.

In connection with the shelf supporting castings, it is pointed out that the method of suspending and positioning them is very advantageous in that it gives, a stiffening effect to the floor. The set screws 44 which position the castings at the top by engagement in the counterbores or indents 46 in the floor plates act to transmit to the castings any stresses which tend to deflect the floor plates in the region of the set screws. The castings in turn transmit such stresses to the nextadjacent plate where it becomes an upward push, and also to the tie angles 41 at the lower portion of the casting which'carry the stresses to adjacent castings and to the end supports or column casing. In instances where bottom positioning such as illustrated in Figure 14 is employed, the stresses are transmitted through the set screws 15 to the floor plates. Thus, this arrangement provides a stiffening eifect which braces portions of the floor which would otherwise be unbraced.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a library construction employing a. floor comprised of .a plurality of members or plates securely and accurately fastened in place and so constructed and reinforced as to constitute a strong self-contained floor adapted to be carried by the columns and to give firm lateral support and bracing to the columns. Because of the stiff and self-contained nature of the floor, it also serves to take twists and warpings out of the columns which normally are frequently present in the columns. Also since the shelf supporting parts are supported and positioned from the floor, accurate spacing thereof and fitting of the shelves is ensured because irregularities in the columns do not affect the spacing and positioning of these parts.

At the same time,-'the arrangement is one which makes the maximum area available for book storage. As contrasted with constructions usually employed, I secure about ten per cent more book supporting area because of the minimizing of the waste space at the columns and because I .am enabled to use practically the full distance from floor to ceiling.

I claim:

1. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers in rows extending at right angles to one another; a self contained floor structure comprising a plurality of rectangular sheet metal plates each occupying the rectangular area cornered by four adjacent columns, flanges at two opposite edges of said plates, stretcher members extending between columns in the direction of the other two edges of said plates, means for securing said stretcher members to the columns, means for supporting said plates from the stretcher members, and

means for securing said plates together at said flanges.

2. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixedcenters and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a self contained floor structure comprising a plurality of cooperating metal stretcher members and other metal plate members connected so that a given number willoccupy a predetermined area and having portions providing openings for the columns on the same fixed centers as the columns, means for securing the stretcher members to the columns and means for securing said other plate members to the stretcher members, said assembled structure laterally supporting the columns and said stretcher plate members having reinforcement to secure the needed strength and stiffness.

3. In library-construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, and a floor structure comprising a set of metal members each of which extends between a pair of columns of a row, a set of uniform metal plate members bridging the space between pairs of said first set of members and extending'from the center line of one crossing row of columns to the center line of the next crossing row, said second set of members having flanges at their edges which are at said center lines, means for securing the first set of members to the columns, means for supporting the members of the second set from the members of the first set, and means for securing the members of the second set together at their flanges.

4. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to each other, a self-contained floor comprising sets of cooperat ing pl atemembers of-frame-like form constructed -to assemble with openings for the columns on the viding a conduit, means at said openings for lat- -erall-y3securing-said self-contained floor to the columnsand-variable filler means associated with rows' extendingat right angles to one another,

': saidsecurin'g' means.

"5. In' library construction-a plurality of columnsregularly arranged on fixed centers and in -and a fioor structure comprising a set of uniform -met'al plates, each extending between a pair of adjacent columns of a row and having bifurcated ends to receive columns, and having ledges at the }-sides,-and a second set ofuniformnletal plates,

each-occupying'the space between four adjacent 'columns of two rows and resting on the ledges of plates-of the first set, and means for securing the -bifurcated ends to the columns.

-' '6. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arrangedon fixed centers and in rows-extending at rightangles to one another,

and a floor structure comprising a set of uniform metal plates, each extending between a pair of "adjacent-columns of a row and having bifurcated *ends to receive columns, and having ledges at the "-'sides, and a second set of uniform metal plates,

each occupying thespace between four adjacent columns of two rows and resting on the ledges of plates of the first set, and means for securing the bifurcated ends to the columns and upright shelf supporting members; said first set of plates hav- .ing. means for positioning shelf supporting members.

.7. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rowsextending at right angles to one another,

and-a floor structure comprising a set of uniform metal plates each of which extends between a pair of columns of a row and is flanged at its sides,

1a secondiset of uniform metal plates bridging the space between pairs 'of the first set of plates and extending from the center line of one row of columns to the center line of the next row, said second set of plates having their sides flanged, means for securing the first set of plates to the columns, ';means for supporting plates of the second set from plates of the first set, and upright casing members enclosing the columns, said first set of plates .having means adjacent their upper and lower faces for positioning said casing members.

38. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly. arranged on fixed centers and in vrows extending at right angles to one another, and ;a self-contained floor and shelf-supporting structure comprised of a plurality of floor parts in units of fixed predetermined size associated and attached together to provide a substantially continuous fioor with openings on the same fixed centers, for the columns with clearance therewith, upright shelf-supporting parts adjacent the openings adapted to enclose the columns, means for positioning the last mentioned parts with respect to the floor parts on the same fixed centers whereby all of said parts will have uniform spacing with relation to each other irrespective of the irregularities and variations normally'incident to the columns, and means for supporting the said :structure from the columns.

9. In library construction, a plurality of coliumns 'regularly arranged -'on fixed centers and in rowsiextending at right angles to one another, stretcher members between pairs of columns of airow, and floor plates carried by the stretcher members, said members and plates being supported by the columns entirely by lateral support comprising welds securing them to the sides of the columns.

10. In library construction, a plurality of col- 1 umns regularly arranged on fixedcenters and in rows extending at right angles to one another, stretcher" members between pairs of columns of a rowhaving bifurcated ends embracing the colum'ns witha clearance sufficient to fit columns of maximum tolerance and to allow for any distortion normally incident to the columns, and means for securing the bifurcated ends to the columns including filler members between said bifurcated ends and said columns equal to the clearance.

11. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows eXtending at right angles to one another,

a sheet metal plate fioor supported from and erally supporting said columns, shelf-supporting members, means centrally of the upper portion of said members for suspending them from the floor, means adjacent the upper corners of said members engaging the floor to position the members, and means at the lower portion of said members for further positioning them, the positioning r'neans adjacent one upper corner of a member serving to transmit to the member stresses which tend to deflect the plate fioor in the region thereof, and the member serving to transmit'such stresses to the other upper corner and against the plate floor, and said lower positioning means also absorbing such stresses whereby-a stiffening effect is given to the plate floor.

13. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly'arranged on fixed centers in rows extending'at right angles toone another; a selfcontained floor structure comprising a plurality of rectangular sheet metal plates each occupying the rectangular area cornered by four adjacent columns, and means for supporting said plates from the columns, vertically corrugated casings enclosing said columns and the said casings being positioned and supported from said floor structure; and shelf supporting means in the corrugations of said casings.

14. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a self contained fioor structure comprising a plurality of metal fioor members so correlated that a given number will occupy a predetermined area with openings receiving the columns with clearance, certain of said metal floor members being edge flanged and others being substantially channel shaped in cross-section to secure the needed strength and stiffness, means for securing said fioor members together, and variable means for vertically positioning said fioor structure with respect-to the colunms.

15. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a self contained floor structure comprising a plurality of metal floor members so correlated that a given number will occupy a predetermined area with openings receiving the'oolumns' with clearance, certain of said metal floor members being edge flanged and others being substantially channel shaped in cross-section to secure the needed strength and stiffness, said channel shaped floor members having means providing edge support for the other i'loor members, means for securing said floor members together, and variable means for vertically positioning said floor structure with respect to the columns.

16. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a substantially continuous iloor comprised of a plurality of sets of floor members; the members of each set being prefabricated counterparts of predetermined size, upright casings enclosing the columns, means on the members of one of said sets for positioning said upright column enclosing casings in spaced surrounding relation ,to the columns, and variable means for securing the floor to the columns. I

17. In library construction, a plurality of col umns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, and a self contained floor structure comprising cooperating metai members presenting floor surface of a predetermined area, certain of said members occupying the space between a'pair of 7 columns of a row' and having end portions straddling said columns with clearance, and the remaining of said members occupying the space between said certain members, means securing said metal members together, and variable means for securing said assembled floor structure to the columns. 1

18. In library' construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a substantially continuous floor comprised of a plu rality of sets of 'floor members, the members of each set being prefabricated counterparts of pre-* determined size, certain of said 'rnembers having edge flanges, shelf-supporting members, means for suspending said shelf-supporting members from said certain members at the flanges, means for positioning said shelf-supporting members at their upper and lower portions, said shelf-supporting members and said positioning means serving" to give a stiffening effect to the floor.

19, In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another, a substantially continuous floor comprised of floor members in the form of stretchers each of which extends between two adjacent columns in the rows of columns arranged in one direction and having forked end portions the prongs of which are spaced so as to straddle the columns with clearance, variable means for securing said stretchers to the columns at said forked end portions, sai d stretchers when secured in place forming spaced strips of flooring, and floor members secured to said stretchers filling the space between said strips to complete the floor surface. W

20. In library construction, a plurality 10f colun'ins regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rows extending at right angles to one another,

a substantially continuous floor comprised of floor members in the forni of stretchers each of which extends between two adjacent columnsin the rows of columns arranged in' one direction and having forked end portions the prongs 0L Jhlch are spaced so as to straddle the columns with, clearance, variable means for securing said stretchers to the columns at said forked end portions, said stretchers whensecured in place forming spaced strips of flooring, and floor members secured to said stretchers filling the space between said strips to complete the floor surface, said stretchers having recessed edge portions to receive said last mentioned floor members in flush relation. 7

21. In: library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers and in rowsextending at right angles to one another, a substantially continuous floor comprised of floor members in the form of stretchers each of which extends between two adjacent columns in "the rows of columns arranged in one direction I and having forked end portions the prongs of which are spaced so as to straddle the columns with clearance, means for securing said stretchers to the columns at said forked end portions including filler members taking up said clearance, and other floor members secured to said stretchers to complete :the floor surface.

22. In library construction, a plurality of?! columns regularly arranged on fixed centers, a self-contained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged-on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between, the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, means at said openings for laterally securing the'floor to the columnsfand filler means between the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges or" the openings equal to the clearance space thereat.

23. In library construction, a plurality ,of columns regularly arranged on fixed centersfa self-contained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings. arranged on the +1 same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, said metallic floor having flanged portions at opposite marginal edges of said openings, means for securing said flanged'portions to the side faces of the columns, and filler means between said flanged portions and said side faces equal to the clearance space therebetween.

24. In library construction, a plurality of 5 columns regularly arranged' on fixed centers, a self-contained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between the'coiumns and the marginal edges of the openingsf: means 'at' said openings for laterally securing the floor to the columns, filler meansbetween the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges of the openings variable to equal the clearance space thereat; upright casings enclosing the columns, and upwardly and downwardly extending means carried by the floor marginally of said openings for positioning said casings on the same fixed centers as the openings in the floor.

In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers, a self-contained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being ofa size to provide clearance space between the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, means at said openings for laterally securing the floor to the columns, filler means between the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges of the openings substantially equal to the clearance space thereat, shelf supports suspended from said floor, and means on said floor for positioning said shelf supports in fixed predetermined spaced relation.

26. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers, a selfcontained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, means at said openings for laterally securing the floor to the columns, filler means between the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges of the openings substantially equal to the clearance space thereat, flange-like portions depending downwardly from said floor, and shelf supports suspended from said flange-like portions, said portions having means spaced a predetermined distance apart engageable by said shelf supports to position them in spaced relation.

27. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers, a selfcontained metallic floor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, means at said openings for laterally securing the floor to the columns, filler means between the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges of the openings variable to equal the clearance space thereat, upright casings enclosing the columns, means carried by the floor at said openings for positioning said casings on the same fixed centers as the openings in the floor, shelf supports suspended from said floor, said floor having means for positioning said shelf supports in fixed predetermined spaced relation, bracing means at the lower portions of said shelf supports extending from column to column, and means for securing said shelf supports to said bracing means.

28. In library construction, a plurality of columns regularly arranged on fixed centers, a selfcontained metallic fioor having a plurality of column receiving openings arranged on the same fixed centers as the columns, said openings being of a size to provide clearance space between the columns and the marginal edges of the openings, means at said openings for laterally securing the floor to the columns, filler means between the sides of the columns and the adjacent marginal edges of the openings variable to equal the clearance space thereat, upright casings enclosing the columns, means carried by the floor at said openings for positioning said casings on the same fixed centers as the openings in the floor, shelf supporting means associated with said casings, and other shelf supporting means suspended and positioned from said floor.

ANGUS S. MACDONALD. 

